In one aspect, methods and apparatuses disclosed herein improve positioning based on UL signals in a wireless communication network, by sending UL transmission configuration from wireless devices, and by using that information in the network for performing UL-based positioning of the devices. In this regard, the teachings herein advantageously recognize that obtaining UL transmission configuration information from the wireless devices themselves represents a more efficient, complete and richer mechanism for obtaining parameters relevant to configuring and performing UL-based positioning operations. As a further example advantage, the teachings herein provide for control-plane and/or user-plane signaling of UL transmission configuration information, which comprises, for a given wireless device, at least one of resource allocation information for one or more UL transmissions for the wireless device, and UL signal characteristics information.
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1. A wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network and comprising: a communication interface configured for communicating with the wireless communication network; and one or more processing circuits configured to communicate with a positioning node in the wireless communication network via the communication interface and to support uplink-based (UL-based) positioning of the wireless device by the wireless communication network, based on being configured to: receive a request from the positioning node for UL transmission configuration information or detect a positioning event trigger for UL-based positioning; and respond to the request or trigger by sending UL transmission configuration information to the positioning node, including at least one of: resource allocation information for one or more UL transmissions for the wireless device, and UL signal characteristics information; and wherein the one or more processing circuits are further configured to, in advance of sending the UL transmission configuration information to the positioning node, determine whether an UL transmission configuration of the wireless device is sufficient for the UL-based positioning and, in response to determining that the UL transmission configuration is not sufficient, request an updated UL transmission configuration that is sufficient for the UL-based positioning, and wherein the UL transmission configuration information sent to the positioning node corresponds to the updated UL transmission configuration.
A wireless device (like a phone) helps the network position it using uplink (UL) signals. The device sends its UL transmission configuration (how it transmits data) to a positioning node in the network. This configuration includes resource allocation (bandwidth, scheduling) and UL signal characteristics. Before sending, the device checks if its current UL configuration is good enough for positioning. If not, it requests a better one and sends the updated configuration to the network for more accurate positioning.
2. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to send at least the resource allocation information, where the resource allocation information comprises at least one of UL signal bandwidth information and UL scheduling information.
The wireless device as described, when sending resource allocation information to assist with positioning, specifically includes the UL signal bandwidth and UL scheduling information. This means the device tells the network how wide its signal is and when it's sending data, so the network can better locate it based on these transmission details.
3. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to send at least the UL signal characteristics information, where the UL signal characteristics information comprises at least one of UL transmit power, UL transmission sequence numbers, UL transmission scrambling codes, and base station and/or cell identification numbers associated with UL transmissions by the wireless device.
The wireless device as described, when sending UL signal characteristics to assist with positioning, includes UL transmit power, UL transmission sequence numbers, UL scrambling codes, and base station/cell IDs. These details give the network a comprehensive view of the signal, allowing for more accurate UL-based positioning by analyzing power levels, signal encoding, and the specific cell tower the device is using.
4. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to send information indicating Radio Access Technology (RAT) capabilities of the wireless device, as part of the UL transmission configuration information.
The wireless device as described sends its Radio Access Technology (RAT) capabilities (e.g., 5G, 4G/LTE) along with the UL transmission configuration. This information helps the network understand the type of wireless technology the device is using for its uplink transmissions, which is relevant for interpreting the UL transmission configuration and improving positioning accuracy.
5. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to send the UL transmission configuration information as control-plane signaling or as user-plane signaling.
The wireless device as described sends the UL transmission configuration information using either control-plane signaling (dedicated network signaling) or user-plane signaling (normal data channels). This provides flexibility in how the device communicates its UL configuration, enabling the network to receive the data through different communication methods based on the network configuration and capabilities.
6. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to send the UL transmission configuration information using the Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) or the LPP Extensions (LPPe), or using the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) protocol.
The wireless device as described sends the UL transmission configuration information using protocols like Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP), LPP Extensions (LPPe), or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL). These standardized protocols ensure interoperability and facilitate the transmission of positioning-related data between the device and the network's positioning node.
7. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to determine whether the UL transmission configuration is sufficient for UL positioning by determining whether UL signals that are necessary for the UL-based positioning are scheduled and sufficient for the UL-based positioning.
The wireless device as described determines if its UL transmission configuration is sufficient for UL positioning by checking if the UL signals needed for positioning are scheduled and adequate. This involves verifying that the required UL transmissions are actually happening and that their characteristics (e.g., power, timing) are suitable for accurate positioning by the network.
8. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing circuits are configured to determine whether the UL transmission configuration is sufficient for the UL-based positioning based on any one or more of: a comparison of the UL transmission configuration with a pre-defined reference configuration, an evaluation of a target measurement quality associated with the UL-based positioning, an evaluation of a target positioning Quality-of-Service (QoS) associated with the UL-based positioning, an evaluation of a speed of the wireless device, and an evaluation of UL frequencies or bandwidths associated with the UL transmission configuration.
The wireless device as described can determine the UL transmission configuration sufficiency by comparing its configuration to a predefined reference, evaluating target measurement quality for positioning, assessing the target positioning Quality-of-Service (QoS), evaluating the device's speed, or analyzing the UL frequencies and bandwidths. This uses multiple factors to determine if the signal is good enough; for example, if the device is moving fast, different signal characteristics might be required.
9. A method at a wireless device for supporting uplink-based (UL-based) positioning of the wireless device by a wireless communication network, said method comprising: detecting a positioning event trigger for UL-based positioning, or receiving a request from a positioning node in the wireless communication network for UL transmission configuration information; and responding to the request or trigger by sending UL transmission configuration information to the positioning node, including at least one of: resource allocation information for one or more UL transmissions for the wireless device, and UL signal characteristics information; and wherein the method further comprises, in advance of sending the UL transmission configuration information to the positioning node, determining whether an UL transmission configuration of the wireless device is sufficient for the UL-based positioning and, in response to determining that the UL transmission configuration is not sufficient, requesting an updated UL transmission configuration that is sufficient for the UL-based positioning, and wherein the UL transmission configuration information sent to the positioning node corresponds to the updated UL transmission configuration.
A method for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves detecting a positioning event or receiving a request for UL transmission configuration. The device responds by sending UL transmission configuration information, including resource allocation and signal characteristics. Before sending, the device verifies if its current UL transmission setup is sufficient for positioning. If not, it requests an updated configuration and sends this improved configuration to the network.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said sending comprises sending at least the resource allocation information, including sending at least one of UL signal bandwidth information and UL scheduling information.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning, when sending resource allocation information, specifically includes the UL signal bandwidth and UL scheduling information. This means the method involves the device communicating how wide its signal is and when it's sending data to assist in the network's positioning calculations.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein said sending comprises sending at least the UL signal characteristics information, including sending at least one of UL transmit power, UL transmission sequence numbers, UL transmission scrambling codes, and base station and/or cell identification numbers associated with UL transmissions by the wireless device.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning, when sending UL signal characteristics, includes UL transmit power, UL transmission sequence numbers, UL scrambling codes, and base station/cell IDs. This means the method involves the device transmitting a comprehensive view of the signal, allowing for accurate positioning through power levels, signal encoding, and cell tower information.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said sending includes sending information indicating Radio Access Technology (RAT) capabilities of the wireless device, as part of the UL transmission configuration information.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves sending Radio Access Technology (RAT) capabilities along with the UL transmission configuration. This means the method sends information that assists the network in understanding the type of wireless technology (e.g., 5G, LTE) the device is using for its uplink transmissions, relevant for interpreting the UL data.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein said sending comprises sending the UL transmission configuration information as control-plane signaling or as user-plane signaling.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves sending the UL transmission configuration information using either control-plane signaling or user-plane signaling. This means the method enables the communication of the device's UL configuration through dedicated network signaling channels or normal data channels, providing communication method flexibility.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein said sending comprises sending the UL transmission configuration information using the Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) or the LPP Extensions (LPPe), or using the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) protocol.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves sending the UL transmission configuration information using protocols like Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP), LPP Extensions (LPPe), or Secure User Plane Location (SUPL). The method ensures interoperability and facilitates the secure transmission of positioning-related data between the device and the network's positioning node using standardized protocols.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein said determining whether the UL transmission configuration is sufficient for UL positioning comprises determining whether UL signals that are necessary for the UL-based positioning are scheduled and sufficient for the UL-based positioning.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves determining if the UL transmission configuration is sufficient for UL positioning by checking if necessary UL signals for positioning are scheduled and adequate. This means the method confirms that needed UL transmissions are actually occurring and are suitable (e.g., power, timing) for the network to accurately position the device.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein said determining whether the UL transmission configuration is sufficient for the UL-based positioning comprises any one or more of: a comparison of the UL transmission configuration with a pre-defined reference configuration, an evaluation of a target measurement quality associated with the UL-based positioning, an evaluation of a target positioning Quality-of-Service (QoS) associated with the UL-based positioning, an evaluation of a speed of the wireless device, and an evaluation of UL frequencies or bandwidths associated with the UL transmission configuration.
The method as described for a wireless device to support network-based uplink positioning involves determining UL transmission configuration sufficiency by any one or more of these techniques: comparing the config to a predefined reference, evaluating target measurement quality for positioning, assessing target positioning Quality-of-Service (QoS), evaluating the device's speed, and/or analyzing the UL frequencies and bandwidths. This assesses the signal adequacy using metrics like a reference config, measurement quality, QoS targets, device speed, and frequency/bandwidth characteristics.
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July 17, 2013
July 4, 2017
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